1.5.2.c Grand Challenge Problem:
The Human Genome Project

The word genome refers to all the DNA in an organism, including its genes. The Human Genome Project aims to discover all the 100,000 human genes, to determine the complete sequence of the 3 billion DNA subunits that make up the genome, to develop data-analysis and sequencing tools, and to make this information accessible for further biological study. When the project began, in 1990, it was planned to last 15 years, but rapid technological advances have accelerated progress and moved the completion date from 2005 to 2003.

The normal human chromosome complement contains 2 copies of the 3,000,000,000 base human genome.

A rough draft of the human genome was completed in June 2000. In his remarks on the the completion of this first survey, then President Clinton said

...we have pooled the combined wisdom of biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, mathematics and computer science; tapped the great strengths and insights of the public and private sectors. More than 1,000 researchers across six nations have revealed nearly all 3 billion letters of our miraculous genetic code. I congratulate all of you on this stunning and humbling achievement.

Technology and resources generated by the Human Genome Project are already having a major impact on research in the life sciences. The potential for commercial development of genomics research presents U.S. industry with a wealth of opportunities, and sales of DNA-based products and technologies in the biotechnology industry are projected to exceed $45 billion by 2009.

Some current and potential applications of genome research include improved diagnosis of disease, earlier detection of genetic predisposition to disease, techniques for drug design, gene therapies, improved understanding of the risks posed to individuals by exposure to toxic agents, and improvement in DNA identification tests.

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